The privet hawkmoth is common in Europe but absent in Scotland and Ireland.
Migrates north every year. Prefers open woodland shrubby hillsides parks and gardens and can be seen at night flying around the flowers.When fully grown the caterpillar turns brown along its back and sometimes wanders a long way from its food plant before burrowing underground to pupate. Gerry had one of these and kept it until it hatched into a moth.